NEA Teen Intern

Worcester Art Museum•Worcester, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Worcester Art Museum invites curious, creative teens from across Worcester and surrounding communities to join our Learning & Engagement Division as NEA Teen Interns in the Studio Classes Department. This paid, part-time internship is designed for teens ages 14-19 who want to spend time in a creative environment, learn how a museum works from the inside, and explore possible futures in the arts, education, museums, or cultural fields. The internship begins on September 25, 2026, and runs primarily on Fridays (with opportunities for additional hours during vacation weeks and special programs), through the end of August 2027. Interns will form a cohort of 15 teens, learning together while building confidence, community, and creative momentum. As an NEA Teen Intern, you’ll be welcomed into the day-to-day life of the Museum through guided experiences with staff and teaching artists. Each week, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with professionals, ask questions, and explore different parts of arts education work, including education and public programs, creative planning, classroom support, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. After an introductory period, interns will be able to assist with youth studio classes, observe and support teaching, contribute ideas to ongoing projects, and take part in conversations about creative careers and professional pathways. No two weeks will look exactly the same, and that variety is intentional: this internship is meant to help you discover what excites you, where your strengths lie, and how your creative voice fits into a larger community. We’re looking for teens who are curious, open-minded, and eager to learn in a shared environment. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do in the future, and you do not need prior museum, teaching, or formal art experience to apply. This internship is an opportunity to explore, build confidence, and learn alongside others. We especially encourage applications from teens who may be new to museums, who are exploring their interests, or who bring perspectives and experiences that are not always centered in arts and cultural spaces. Interest in creativity, community, working with others, or learning how programs come together is just as valuable as experience making art.

Requirements

Interest in creativity, learning, or community programs
Curiosity, openness, and willingness to learn
Ability to work respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and learning styles
Reliability and ability to commit to the internship schedule
No prior museum, teaching, or formal art experience required

Nice To Haves

Interest in art classes, electives, after-school programs, helping with school or community activities, personal creative projects, or simply a strong curiosity about how museums, classes, and creative programs work.
Eagerness to explore new ideas, ask questions, and try different kinds of work in a supportive, fast-changing environment.
Empathy, flexibility, and inclusive communication.
Ability to attend regularly, communicate clearly if issues arise, and follow guidance from staff and teaching artists.
Teens who may be new to museums, who are exploring their interests, or who bring perspectives and experiences that are not always centered in arts and cultural spaces.
Interest in creativity, community, working with others, or learning how programs come together.

Responsibilities

Assist with youth studio classes
Observe and support teaching
Contribute ideas to ongoing projects
Take part in conversations about creative careers and professional pathways
Collaborate with professionals
Explore different parts of arts education work, including education and public programs, creative planning, classroom support, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving